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Biomedical subjects

A Kawada

Publications and source records attributed to A Kawada.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Prurigo pigmentosa, ketonemia and diabetes mellitus.

The etiology of prurigo pigmentosa still remains unknown. We present a 16-year-old female patient with ketonemia caused by diabetes mellitus. The eruption subsided when blood glucose and total ketone levels were controlled by subcutaneous insulin injection. We propose that ketonemia caused by diabetes mellitus may play a role in the pathogenesis of prurigo pigmentosa.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Photosensitivity induced by fleroxacin.

A case of photosensitivity induced by fleroxacin (FLRX) is reported. A 71-year-old man had erythema on sun-exposed areas after 5 months FLRX treatment for prostatitis. The minimal erythema dose to UVA was reduced at the initial examination and became normal 4 weeks after he stopped taking FLRX. Oral photo-challenge with FLRX 100 mg was positive, but photopatch testing was negative. Fleroxacin (FLRX), in use since 1992, is a fluoroquinolone antibacterial derived from quinoline. Photosensitivity induced by FLRX is not uncommon, but a photobiological study has not been reported. The mechanism of action of photosensitivity induced by the fluoroquinolones is considered to be phototoxic in origin in that in vitro technique studies are positive. FLRX, a quinoline derivative may be a photosensitizer as well as enoxacin, lomefloxacin and sparfloxacin.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Rat epidermal cathepsin B: purification and characterization of proteolytic properties toward filaggrin and synthetic substrates.

The aim of this study was to purify epidermal cathepsin B from rat skin and investigate its proteolytic activities on filaggrin and several synthetic substrates. The molecular weight of purified monomeric cathepsin B was estimated to be 30 kDa by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The amino acid composition, similar to that of liver cathepsin B, indicated the enzyme to be an acidic protease. The enzyme had strong hydrolytic activity toward N-benzyloxy-carbonyl-L-arginyl-L-arginine-7-amido-4-methylcoumarin (Z-Arg-Arg-MCA) (152 mU/mg) and N-benzyloxycarbonyl-L-phenylalanyl-L-arginine-7-amido-4-methylcoumarin (424 mU/mg), but had no proteolytic activity toward L-arginine-7-amido-4-methylcoumarin. The Km value for Z-Arg-Arg MCA was 0.34 mM and pH optimum was 5.5. Cathepsin B degraded rat epidermal filaggrin into small fragments at pH 4.0 and 5.5., and was inhibited by a specific cysteine proteinase inhibitor, N-[N-(L-3-trans-carboxyoxirane-2-carbonyl)L-leucyl]- agmatin. This study demonstrated that filaggrin was susceptible to degradation by cathepsin B. Such an action may have relevance to skin differentiation in which acid proteases are thought to participate.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Rat epidermal cathepsin L-like proteinase: purification and some hydrolytic properties toward filaggrin and synthetic substrates.

We have purified cathepsin L-like proteinase from rat epidermis, determined its NH2-terminal amino acid sequence, and investigated its proteolytic activities on an intermediate filament-associated protein filaggrin and several synthetic substrates. The amino acid sequence of its NH2-terminus was determined to be Val-Pro-Asn-Ser-Leu-Asp-Trp-Arg-Glu-Lys-Gly-Tyr-Val-Thr-Pro-, which differed from that of rat cathepsin L and was not found in the amino acid sequence data bank. The enzyme consisted of a single-chain form with M(r) 30,000. Its hydrolytic properties toward synthetic substrates were similar to those of cathepsin L in other tissues. The enzyme effectively proteolyzed rat epidermal filaggrin into small fragments at pH 4.0-6.0 and was inhibited by a specific cysteine proteinase inhibitor, N-[N-(L-3-trans-carboxyoxirane-2-carbonyl)L-leucyl]-agmatin. However, cathepsins D and E from rat epidermis did not hydrolyze filaggrin. This study demonstrated that filaggrin was susceptible to degradation by rat epidermal cathepsin L-like proteinase, suggesting that this proteolytic activity may have relevance to skin differentiation, in which acid proteases are thought to participate.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Niemann-Pick disease: coupling and uncoupling of inhibited sphingomyelinase activity and exogenous cholesterol esterification in fibroblasts by ionophore treatment.

In order to elucidate a biochemical relationship between sphingomyelin and cholesterol metabolisms, we examined the effects of several ionophores (monensin, nigericin, A23187, ionomycin, lasalocid) on sphingomyelinase activity and cholesterol esterification in cultured human fibroblasts. Phase-contrast microscopy showed the presence of foamy cells with monensin and nigericin treatments only. Electron microscopic examination revealed lamellated membranous bodies and cytoplasmic vacuoles in cells treated with monensin and nigericin. Monensin and nigericin treatments led to reduction of acid sphingomyelinase activity and disturbance of the esterification of lipoprotein-derived cholesterol in cultured fibroblasts, which is compatible with the biochemical changes of Niemann-Pick disease, type C. A23187, ionomycin, and lasalocid treatments showed only sphingomyelinase reduction in treated fibroblasts. Experimental models in this culture system could be produced in these ways, mimicking subtypes of Niemann-Pick disease, type A, B and type C.

Cells, Cultured↗
PubMed1994

A new approach to the evaluation of broad-spectrum sunscreens against ultraviolet and visible light-induced delayed tanning.

Protection against UV and visible light-induced delayed tanning (DT) and immediate tanning (IT) of two broad-spectrum sunscreens with the same sun protection factor was investigated. Protection factors (PFs) against DT (24 h and 7 days) of the sunscreens differed significantly, but PFs against IT did not. This study indicates that using PF against 24 h DT is more appropriate for an evaluation of broad-spectrum sunscreens against UVA and visible light than IT.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Prolonged occurrence of Moraxella bovis infection on a restricted heifer farm.

An epizootiologic study was conducted for infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK) on a large grassland farm rearing a total of 1,300-1,400 heifers during May to October in both 1991 and 1992. Heifers were examined for infection with Moraxella bovis, and isolation of M. bovis from the affected eyes and from Asian face flies (Musca bezzii Patton et Cragg) swarming on the heifer face was carried out. During the observation period, 10.7% of the heifers in 1991 and 5.3% of the heifers in 1992 were affected with IBK. Eight M. bovis isolates were isolated from the ocular swabs of affected heifers with IBK for 2 years and identified by biochemical examinations and Southern DNA-DNA hybridization, but no M. bovis was obtained from 331 Asian face flies tested. Plasmid profile analysis showed that two plasmids (35-kb and 4.0-kb) were commonly found in all 8 M. bovis isolates. This indicates that M. bovis isolates with the same plasmid profile were widely disseminated on this farm for 2 years.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

[Autologous pulmonary arterial flap for repair of truncus arteriosus in neonate and small infants].

Complete correction without external conduit repair by autologous pulmonary arterial flap was performed for the truncus arteriosus in one neonate and two small infants. In this study, we investigated advantages of postoperative hemodynamics and pulmonary artery growth from the data on truncus arteriosus repaired by the autologous flap technique. Patient in this study was classified as type I or II truncus arteriosus and age ranged from 19 days to 95 days after birth. One of the patients died of unexpected gastric bleeding 25 days after surgery. However, all showed excellent hemodynamics in the early postoperative period. The reconstructed pulmonary tract positioned rather left ward and posterior to the level of the systemic root than the technique with extra cardiac conduit repair. Compression did not occur at the created pulmonary tract and hemodynamics was fairly stable after closure of the chest. The postoperative RVP/LVP ratio ranged among 0.45 to 0.65 and the pressure gradient across the right ventricular out flow tract demonstrated only 10-15 mmHg. The size of the pulmonary arterial flap was sufficient even in type II truncus arteriosus to create right ventricle-to-pulmonary tract. However, the first patient underwent subsequent surgery 20 months after the initial surgery, because of left pulmonary artery stenosis due to intimal tissue overgrowth distal to the outflow patch. Surgical findings revealed that the posterior wall of the pulmonary tract was smooth and well developed. Traction of pulmonary arterial flap toward the right ventricular outflow tract shortens the distance between monocusp and left pulmonary arterial orifice than expected.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Humans↗
PubMed1993

Hyperthermic treatment of chromomycosis with disposable chemical pocket warmers. Report of a successfully treated case, with a review of the literature.

A case of chromomycosis in which hyperthermia proved effective is reported. The patient was a 56-year-old male bean curd maker who, without any previous history of minor trauma, developed on the extensor side of the left upper arm an eczematous lesion that underwent gradual radial expansion. The lesion showed a well-defined, 7 x 10 cm infiltrated erythematous plaque with the central area healed and, at the upper and lower borders, adherent scales and crusts on the surface. Histological examination revealed granulomatous changes in the dermis, as well as sclerotic cells within giant cells and microabscesses. On culturing, Fonsecaea pedrosoi was isolated. The patient was treated with disposable chemical pocket warmers, which were secured over the lesion with a rather tight elastic bandage, so that they kept the affected area warm for 24 hours a day. After a month of such hyperthermic treatment, the erythema and infiltration had decreased considerably, and microscopic examination and culture of the crusts both yielded negative results. Examination of biopsy specimens of the lesion after the third month showed that it had cicatrized. The treatment was stopped after 4 months, and no relapse occurred. We also summarize the published results of local hyperthermic treatment of chromomycosis in Japan.

Chromoblastomycosis↗
PubMed1993

The relationship of sun protection factor to minimal erythema dose, Japanese skin type, and skin color.

The relationship of sun protection factor (SPF) to minimal erythema dose (MED), Japanese skin type, and skin color was investigated on the unexposed backs of 48 healthy subjects. SPF of a UVB-sunscreen was determined using sun lamps as a light source. A significant correlation was found between SPF and MED; subjects with lower MED showed higher SPF. The average SPF decreased with increasing skin type. There was no significant correlation between SPF and skin color (L*a*b* color system).

Adult↗
PubMed1993

The relationship among minimal erythema dose, minimal delayed tanning dose, and skin color.

The relationship among minimal erythema dose (MED), minimal delayed tanning dose (MDTD), and skin color was examined in 16 healthy volunteers using three different spectra. The subjects were exposed to UVB, UVA+B, and UV+Visible light (UV+Visible) with a xenon arc solar simulator as a light source. The MEDs for UVB and UVA+B were less than the MDTDs, whereas the MED for UV+Visible was higher than the MDTD. There was no significant correlation between the MED and the MDTD for UVB or UVA+B. The MED for UV+Visible was significantly correlated to the MDTD (p < 0.01). Skin color significantly correlated with MEDs for UVB and UVA+B (p < 0.01), but not for UV+Visible. There was no significant correlation between skin color and the MDTD for any spectra. From these results, it is suggested that the relationship between erythemal and melanogenic responses is dependent on spectral bands of the light source and that skin color is a predictor of UV-induced erythema.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Individual differences of the contribution of chromatic channels to brightness.

Perceived brightness is considered to be a combined consequence of outputs of the luminance channel and the chromatic channels in the visual system. The differences of logarithmic spectral luminous efficiencies between heterochromatic brightness matching and flicker photometry that were obtained from 16 subjects were examined by using principal component analysis. The luminous-efficiency difference between the two methods is described by only two principal components. Individual characteristics of the contribution of chromatic channels to brightness can be specified by measuring luminous efficiencies at 470 and 660 nm.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Localized cutaneous nocardiosis in Japan. A new case.

We report a case of localized cutaneous nocardiosis due to Nocardia asteroides, appearing on the anterior surface of the right forearm of a 29-year-old woman. Examination of the skin revealed a firm subcutaneous nodule measuring 32 x 20 mm and accompanied with a small ulcer. The histology of the lesion showed granulomatous changes interspersed with large numbers of polymorphonuclear leukocytes. On Gram staining, a few bacillary bodies were found scattered through the lesion, but no grains were detected. The classification of the clinical types of cutaneous nocardiosis is discussed, and the Japanese literature on localized cutaneous nocardiosis is examined.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

The comparison of sun protection factor values with different light sources.

Sun protection factors (SPFs) were evaluated with three light sources (sunlight, a xenon arc solar simulator, and fluorescent lamps) in indoor and outdoor studies. Two types of light, UV-A+B and UV+Visible, were obtained from the solar simulator. The untanned backs of twenty-four healthy male volunteers were used as test sites. A broad spectrum sunscreen containing SPF 6, according to the manufacturer, was used. The sunscreen tested was applied at 2 mg/cm2. The actual SPF values were 4.8 with sunlight, 6.0 with UV-A+B, 4.9 with UV+Visible, and 11.8 with fluorescent lamps. There were no significant differences between the SPF values with sunlight and those with the solar simulator; the SPF value for fluorescent lamps was significantly higher. The SPF with UV-A+B of the solar simulator was similar to that with sunlight; the use of this light served to reduce pain on tested subjects. Therefore, UV-A+B from the solar simulator seems to be the most appropriate artificial light source for evaluating sunscreens.

Adult↗